In a kindergarten class recently, a group of five children gathered around me
to take a look at their first group reading book. The four page paper book
was 60 percent pictures with only two words. The two words were followed with
a picture.

A small boy on my left said, " I do not like to read." Most parents would
have answered the boy by convincing him that he was mistaken. For example parents might say, " You will like
to read. This is a fun story and it is easy." As a professional reading
instructor, this first reaction on my part is to twist the attitude of this child
towards reading and to not give him any attention when he makes a negative
statement. Never react to a negative statement with any attention, instead give
specific directions with a smile.

As a parent you should say, " Put you finger under the word with a capital letter. Every sentence begins
with a capital. As we read together, move your finger from one sound to
another."

In this situation, the child had no choice to be negative. He is already beginning to feel out
reading.

After practicing the movement of the finger under the two words, for example, "I see …" and
copying the slow lip movement, all of the five children in the kindergarten class picked up the
repeated word pattern. At this time, I looked at the boy to my left and said, "Read
the whole page to the red group, Juan." The boy confidently moved his finger
under the words and read the repeated pattern. At this moment, I had the
opportunity to twist his attitude towards reading. I said to him, " Juan, you read the whole
page. You are a good reader. Could you read the same page to me in the morning.
I like to hear your voice."

Never feed a negative attitude with any attention. Solve the problem with a
positive step by step help and then respond when the child has learned a way to
met his fears.